'Dear Abby' Ignites Firestorm With Advice On Baby Names

Author Jeane Phillips, the daughter of the original advice columnist Dear Abby poses for a photo in Los Angeles in October 2007.

From the moment parents-to-be announce they’re expecting, many are bombarded with possible names for their unborn offspring.

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Some are common, some unique, but one thing is clear: everyone’s got an opinion — even famous advice columnists.

Earlier this week, a tweet about a “Dear Abby” advice column from September made waves on social media, pointing out that the column advised a reader not to give their child a “foreign” name. The column elicited sharp rebuke from users online who said “Abby” was encouraging “white washing.”

Dear Twitter,

A famous advice columnist is telling people to whitewash their kid's names if they want to be accepted. How should I tell her that's wrong and racist?

@dearabby Your advice about “saddling” a child w/ an Indian name is archaic & quite frankly racist. Learning a person’s name affirms their dignity. Understanding the history behind the name enriches understanding and connection. I am named after a ruler of India-won’t change it!